He worked on that project with the late Ron Stafford, his law partner and a Republican state senator. The Stafford family today issued a statement endorsing Scozzafava.

"We need forward-thinking leaders who are prepared to tackle the issues of tomorrow," the Stafford family wrote. "The people of the North Country stand up for what they believe in and we see this attribute in Dede. In an era of increasingly negative politics, we are looking forward to a positive campaign founded on the merits of her record and candidacy. Like Ron, Dede understands the people of the region and will carry on the good work of John McHugh as a voice for the region."